Last year, on the 10th anniversay of 9/11, Justin Baxley, Highland Memorial Park president, and his 9-year-old son walked through a field of 3,000 flags.
Baxley's son looked up at him and said, "Dad, you mean each one of these flags represents a person that died?"
It was at that moment the true weight of 9/11 clicked for both Baxley and his son.
Residents of Marion County can understand what Baxley felt this evening at Highland Memorial Park.
The park will hold the event "Field of Flags: Remembering 9/11" from 6 to 9 p.m.
The park will have nearly 3,000 flags on display. Each one represents a person who died in the 9/11 attacks. Justin Baxley, the president of Highland Memorial Park, said there will also be a multiscreen video tribute running from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. which will tell the story of 9/11. Also, there will be a live bald eagle and artwork from local middle schools.
Baxley said as time goes by he noticed those who originally felt too uncomfortable expressing their grief about the events of 9/11 have an easier time dealing with their loss years later.
Paige Parrinelli edited this online story.